The Beating Heart (A Chicago Med Fanfiction)

Chapter 4 "A Life Change"

Natalie had taken a vacation to Washington to visit her family, returning back home two weeks later. As she woke up the morning she was to return to work, she started feeling sick.

"Are you okay?" Helen asked her.

"Yeah I'm fine."

"Eat something. You look paler than a ghost."

"It was cold out there. Of course I'm gonna be pale."

"Natalie, I said EAT. It's not a question."

"HELEN."

Helen pulls out a chair. "Sit down."

After eating breakfast, and preparing herself for work, Natalie kissed Owen's head and dashed out the door. As she got out to the car, she felt a nauseous feeling come over her. Natalie turned to the side and immediately began throwing up.

"I shouldn't even be going to work today. Sharon is gonna tell me to go home." She thought as she drove to the hospital.

"Good morning, sunshine." Ethan said as he saw her walk in.

She tossed him a look. "Not today."

"Are you okay? You look really pale."

"Yeah I'm fine. I must've just caught a bug while out west."

"Well if you need anything, make sure you let me know."

"Will do." She smiled, as he walked away.

As Natalie was putting stuff into her locker, Will came into the room.

"Hey." He said, taking off his coat.

She didn't turn around or acknowledge his greeting.

"Nat?" He said, placing a hand on her shoulder.

"I'm gonna be sick." She told him.

Will threw his stuff down and escorted her to the staff bathroom. He handed her a cup of water so she could wash her mouth out.

"Thank you." She half smiled.

"You should go back home. I'm sure we can manage today."

"No, Will. I'm fine. It's probably just something I ate."

He looked off to the side, his eyes getting wide at his thoughts. She tossed him a look.

"I don't like that face. What are you thinking of?"

"Nothing."

"Will, don't start with me. I'm in no mood today. What are you thinking?"

"We did have sex a few weeks ago..."

"NO! It's not that! I'm on the pill."

"Aren't you taking an antibiotic for that cut you got like a month ago?"

"Uh oh..."

"What?"

"Antibiotics can make birth control less effective."

"Maybe you should find out."

"There's no way! It was one time."

"That's all it takes."

"I..."

Natalie rushes off to the stock room down the hall. As she rummages through the many cabinets and drawers, Maggie appears.

"Can I help you?"

Natalie jumped. "Don't do that!"

Maggie laughed. "Can I help you find something?"

"Um...yeah. Kind of."

"What do you need?"

"A pregnancy test."

"For you or a patient?"

"Not funny."

Maggie laughed again. "Right here." She opened a drawer close to the ground.

"Thanks." Natalie said as she grabbed one.

"Is it for a patient?"

"Yeah. Standard procedure."

After Natalie left, Maggie gave a look her way. "There is something up with that woman, and I'm gonna find out what it is."